Companies Train Future Workforce Through Youth Apprenticeships

Kiya Mooney (left) a senior at Milwaukee Trade & Tech High School works with her mentor at Harley-Davidson. She is enrolled in the Manufacturing-Industrial Equipment program pathway through MPS's Youth Apprenticeship program.(Photo: Submitted by Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development)

With an expected influx of job openings occurring in Wisconsin's manufacturing sector in the next 10 years, it's clear that this sector is on the rise. The addition of companies such as Haribo and Foxconn to the state have accented the strength of this rapidly growing sector and the need for workers. The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is actively working to grow the pool of skilled manufacturing employees in the state and the Youth Apprenticeship program goes one step further to develop a talent pipeline for the future. Youth Apprenticeship connects high school students to different career pathways through hands-on learning, along with classroom instruction.

The growth that manufacturing has seen in Wisconsin is also reflected in the participation rates for youth apprentices. Manufacturing is indeed Wisconsin's largest Youth Apprenticeship Career Cluster with 2017-18 numbers at an impressive 828 student participants. This is a 21 percent increase from the previous school year.

Through Youth Apprenticeship, students learn and experience the career options that run the gamut of manufacturing jobs. The manufacturing program currently offers three different program pathways: Production, Production Operations Management, and Maintenance, Installation, & Repair. Furthermore, to help students transition from youth apprentices to registered apprentices, several of these units have been approved as introductions to Registered Apprenticeship programs. Youth apprentices completing their program may then have part or all of their work hours applied toward the requirements of the Registered Apprenticeship program.

Ethan Sanchez a senior at Milwaukee Trade and Tech High School works at Harley-Davidson as a Youth Apprentice in the YA Manufacturing-Industrial Equipment program pathway through MPS.(Photo: Submitted by Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development)

"Students take their work experiences back to the classroom and see more clearly the importance of their related coursework and experiences. Regular attendance and a positive attitude are just as important for their careers as their classroom training," said Terri Salzer, the Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS).

Youth Apprenticeship does more than just provide students with new skills. Some of the most valuable takeaways are the connections they make with employers. Take Harley-Davidson, for example. One of the most well-known businesses in Wisconsin relies on Youth Apprenticeship to build their future workforce. On Friday, September 28th, Harley-Davidson hosted a celebration of Career Development Month with an emphasis on Youth Apprenticeship. The company currently sponsors four youth apprentices.

"They're not only sharing the Harley-Davidson experience with youth, but through the Youth Apprenticeship program they're also developing a pipeline of future workers," said Salzer.

The Sept. 28 event featured speakers from Harley-Davidson, MPS, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), and also was a celebration of the successful transition of six youth apprentices who worked with the Maintenance and Repair team for MPS. They bridged from Youth Apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship in the following areas: Industrial Electrician, Industrial Pipe-fitter, Machinery Maintenance Repair, and Restricted Plumbing Appliance Repair.

DWD Secretary Ray Allen noted that the number of students enrolled in Youth Apprenticeship increased by 167 percent between 2010-11 and 2017-18.

"Student participation has been increasing nicely every year. It's a rewarding choice for us to invest in our current students who will also be the workforce of tomorrow," said Secretary Allen.

As the manufacturing sector continues to grow, so too do opportunities for our youth to engage with this dynamic and ever-changing career path. Youth Apprenticeship is a great way for students and employers to connect and transition from coursework to career.